Affective Polarization and the Aptness of Partisan Anger

Political Theory Seminar with Jonathan Benson, Manchester University.

Increasing partisan animosity has generated widespread concern within political science, and this is often attributed to its roots in the dynamics of social identity. In contrast, I argue that partisan anger can be both normatively reasonable and appropriate, with implications for affective polarization’s expected consequences, for whether it requires recognition, and for our preferred policy response. I further contend that these implications hold true even if partisan animosity is primarily rooted in social identity. Drawing on democratic theory, I demonstrate that social identities are often connected to social perspectives, which can enable group members to recognize the normative reasons necessary for apt emotions. Finally, I show that the risk of inapt affective polarization varies with patterns of social inequality and partisan sorting, leading to potential asymmetries in the aptness of partisan anger within and across parties.

For further information and to receive the paper in advance, please contact Christian Rostbøll, cr@ifs.ku.dk.